Determining Factors of Educational Opportunities: Reflections on Intergenerational Educational Mobility

Abstract

This article examines the dynamics of intergenerational educational mobility by analyzing the impact of parents' educational levels on the educational achievements of their children. Through a review of the last twenty years of related literature, the study confirms a strong positive correlation between the educational levels of parents and their offspring. It emphasizes how parental education is a critical factor in breaking poverty cycles and improving social mobility, especially in socioeconomically disadvantaged families. The interaction between parental education and the educational outcomes of children and adolescents is complex, incorporating socioeconomic and demographic factors, educational policies, as well as cultural capital and neighborhood effects. The findings underline the need for multifaceted public policy interventions that promote educational equity and support equal opportunities, aiming to enhance intergenerational mobility and foster a just society. The study offers valuable perspectives focusing on the importance of addressing interconnected variables that contribute to persistent educational disparities and hinder social progress.